The approach to classical education is language-focused: learning is accomplished through words; written and spoken. Maryvale Academy provides a comprehensive Language Arts progr
am that builds the foundation necessary for life-long learning.
In Grade 1 & 2, the students use a phonetic-based reading program which addresses all five essential components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics and word analysis, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. From Grades 3 to 8, they continue to be exposed to classic literature or the “great books”, such as “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis, as well as fables & fairy tales in Grades 3 & 4. Some of the literature the students enjoy in the upper grades include “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett and “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls in Grades 5 & 6, and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain and “Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann David Wyss in Grades 7 & 8. Through in-depth novel study and creative projects, teachers help students to understand the teaching of morals and virtues in these stories, as well as to build vocabulary and skills in literary appreciation. In Grades 7 & 8, students are introduced to formal logic to develop the art of reasoning, a skill instrumental for them to hold fast to the truth and be able to defend it throughout their lives.
The Excellence in Writing programme forms the basis from which Maryvale students develop skills in written expression. Students are taught in a structured way how to express themselves clearly and effectively through the written word. The teaching of grammar is incorporated into these lessons. While there is some stress on the teaching of analytical grammar in the upper grades, it is primarily taught through immersion into rich literature (inherent grammar acquisition) in the early years. Weekly spelling tests are given in every grade and penmanship is developed from Grades 1 to 4.
Poetry memorization and recitation, often a neglected source of powerful and 
sophisticated linguistic patterning available to children, is practised across all grades on a regular basis. In order to nurture competent communicators, the Public Speaking Contest is held every spring to provide opportunities for Grades 1 & 2 students to recite poems and for students in the upper grades to compose and present narrative (Grades 3 & 4), expository (Grades 5 & 6) and persuasive (Grades 7 & 8) speeches to an audience. In addition, the year-end Spring Showcase allows students another dimension to appreciate and perform what they have learned in language arts throughout the year by participating in performances including poem and song recitals, puppet shows such as “Pinocchio” and plays such as “Christopher Columbus“, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe“, “Peter Pan” and Shakespeare’s “As You Like It“.